PATH is the leader in global health innovation. An international nonprofit organization, we save lives and improve health, especially among women and children. We accelerate innovation across five platforms—vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, devices, and system and service innovations—that harness our entrepreneurial insight, scientific and public health expertise, and passion for health equity. By mobilizing partners around the world, we take innovation to scale, working alongside countries primarily in Africa and Asia to tackle their greatest health needs. Together, we deliver measurable results that disrupt the cycle of poor health.
PATH’s Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access (CVIA) brings together our expertise across every stage of the long and complex process of vaccine research, development, and delivery to make lifesaving vaccines widely available to children and communities across the world. CVIA’s current portfolio encompasses more than two dozen vaccines either in development or already in use to protect against 16 different diseases. Our focus is on vaccines to address the leading diseases that claim children’s lives worldwide: pneumonia, diarrheal disease, and malaria; as well as other global health priorities, such as polio and meningitis. We work in partnership with national health ministries, pharmaceutical manufacturers, donors, international financing and regulatory organizations, and many others. PATH has led numerous global partnerships, including the award-winning Meningitis Vaccine Project and the Malaria Vaccine Initiative, which helped develop the first malaria vaccine candidate recommended for pilot implementation.
PATH is recruiting for a Senior Program Officer as part of the Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access (CVIA), Policy, Access, and Introduction (PAI) functional team. This position will initially support the RTS,S vaccine pilot implementation programme (PIP), based in Lilongwe, Malawai. The SPO will work in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners to implement various aspects of the programme, which will also be linked to post-market Phase IV studies (led by the vaccine manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline [GSK]). This position may support other PATH-led vaccine implementation work in Malawi or the region.
Responsibilities:
- Provide technical assistance to the Malawi National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and collaborate with internal and external partners (e.g., MoH and WHO) to contribute to the planning, preparation, and execution of the RTS,S vaccine pilot implementation programme.
- Provide technical assistance to the pilot implementation programme evaluation activities (e.g., post-introduction evaluation, coverage survey), as needed.
- Provide technical assistance to the review, preparation, and writing of technical documents, national policies, and vaccine introduction materials related to the pilot implementation programme.
- Provide technical assistance to the country communications work to ensure the technical accuracy of RTS,S vaccine pilot implementation materials in support of country communication objectives and activities.
- Support coordination of PATH-led RTS,S project activities within the country and act as country liaison for PATH’s RTS,S-related work with key partners, such as the WHO, MoH, and others, at the direction of the project director/team lead.
- Prepare and make presentations on relevant project components at internal and external meetings and ensure meeting outcomes are well documented, as needed and/or requested.
- Lead and/or assist in preparing project reports, manuscripts for publication, multi-media outlets, and peer-reviewed journals as related to the RTS,S vaccine pilot implementation.
- Participate in meetings, conference calls, and maintain regular communication with PATH colleagues and project team members.
- Collaborate with other CVIA, PAI, and PATH colleagues on project activities and objectives.
- Ability and willingness to travel within Malawi and/or internationally, as required, up to 30% of the time.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills
- A PhD/MD with 5 years’ experience post-graduate or MPH/MS with 10 years’ experience in a health-related discipline required.
- At least 10 years of experience working with governments, national policymakers, and international organizations, including World Health Organization, with an emphasis on the introduction of new vaccines in Africa.
- In-depth technical expertise of immunization systems and country immunization programmes.
- Knowledge of vaccine-preventable disease epidemiology, demonstrated ability to conduct and/or manage operational research (quantitative and qualitative study design) and program evaluations, ideally related to malaria and/or new vaccines.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with national governments, international agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant partners in a low-resource country.
- Experience in supporting the development and execution of strategies for the planning and implementation of a new vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment with strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.
- Ability to write scientific and/or technical papers and reports for governments, stakeholders, and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to analyze, interpret, present and use data.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-country, team-based organizational structure.
- Strong oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational skills, ability to work independently, and to competently track timelines and deliverables with minimal guidance.
- Knowledge and experience using email and computer applications, such as MS Office.
- Specific knowledge of the structure and operations of the Malawi EPI is desirable.
- Working knowledge of policy and regulatory issues related to the introduction of new vaccines is desirable.
- Knowledge of malaria epidemiology, prevention and control in African country contexts is desirable.
- Must have legal authorization to work in Malawi.
PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.
PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
More Information
- Job City Lilongwe